Hitting the road looking to extend a seven-game winning streak, the Virginia Tech women's basketball team had about as good a start as they could have hoped for. They led 21-14 after one quarter, but after that, the Irish won the final three quarters.
Virginia Tech took a 36-30 lead into halftime, but Notre Dame erupted for 50 points while holding the Hokies to 34 points to pick up a big ACC win at home to improve to 7-5 in conference play and 15-8 overall. Virginia Tech fell to 8-4 in ACC play and 18-6 overall with a huge home game against North Carolina State looming on Sunday afternoon.
Notre Dame ends Virginia Tech's 7-game winning streak
One game after turning the ball over just eight times in a win over Virginia, the Hokies' inability to protect the ball cost them and cost them big-time. The Irish forced 21 turnovers, which led to 29 points. That's not going to get it done at any level.
Virginia Tech held Hannah Hidalgo to just 16 points, but it was a balanced effort from Notre Dame, scoring-wise, that got the job done. They played six players, and all six players scored in double figures. Talk about balanced scoring. Cassandre Prosper and Gisela Sanchez each had 14 points, and KK Bradford and Vanessa de Jesus each had 11. Hidalgo had six stealsm seven rebounds, and five assists.
For the Hokies, the 21 turnovers were not enough to overcome. Carys Baker scored a game-high 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Carleigh Wenzel chipped in with 19 points and seven rebounds, and Kilah Freelon had nine points and 13 rebounds. Samyha Suffren had eight points and nine rebounds for Virginia Tech.
As far as the NCAA Tournament goes, this would have been a major boost to the Hokies résumé, a win on the road over Notre Dame. Instead, they will look to collect a big one on Sunday afternoon against the Wolfpack.